Hudson County Man Admits Role In Conspiracy To Distribute Cocaine

NEWARK, N.J. – A Jersey City, New Jersey, man today admitted his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy operating in Jersey City, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Rayfeal Roman, 34, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Roman admitted that from September 2017 through Feb. 7, 2018, he conspired with others to distribute cocaine. Roman also admitted that in February 2018 he spoke on the telephone with a conspirator and agreed to sell that person one kilogram of cocaine for $29,500. Law enforcement officials intercepted these conversations using a court order to intercept wire and electronic communications on Roman’s cellular phone.

On Feb.7, 2018, before Roman and the conspirator could complete the cocaine sale, law enforcement officers obtained and executed a search warrant for Roman’s apartment in Jersey City. They found approximately 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, approximately $30,000 in cash, and various other materials commonly associated with drug distribution, such as an electronic money-counting machine, a digital scale, and drug-packaging materials.

The distribution conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 20, 2018.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office under the leadership of Prosecutor Esther Suarez, and special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Valerie A. Nickerson, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan W. Romankow of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: Gerald Krovatin Esq., Newark